Summary

There is a gap between recommended healthy eating and physical activity and what people do in reality. Successful interventions are based on psychological as well as physical approaches. 

Tailoring to individual circumstances and preferences is crucial. Food diaries, goal setting, tips on food choices and food swaps can help to embed change. Physical activity needs to be acceptable and ideally enjoyable for the person if it is to be sustained.

Pharmacy teams and their detailed local knowledge and understanding are a major asset in supporting people to manage their weight.

Useful resources

• Obesity, physical activity and nutrition. Fingertips, DHSC
• Small steps to a healthier you. The Association of UK Dietitians
• Overweight, obesity and weight loss. British Nutrition Foundation
• Physical activity clinical champions includes tips and questions for consultations from Moving Medicine
• ParkRun, Couch to 5K, GoodGym, NHS Active 10 Walking Tracker

In Toolkit 3 we look at pharmacological interventions